Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida), who is running to lead a potential Republican majority in 2025, took down Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Friday, saying former President Trump will need new leadership to help support his agenda for a possible second term.
“We have Republicans in the Senate who have caved to Democrats on all kinds of horrible bills. Now, remember this so-called infrastructure law? … That required Republican votes. Guess who gave it to them? Mitch McConnell,” Scott told a crowd at the People’s Convention in Detroit, organized by the conservative activist group Turning Point Action.
He argued that McConnell, who announced earlier this year that he would step down from his leadership role, “joins with some Republicans and gives Democrats the votes they need.”
“Donald Trump had four years. He will have four more years. What will slow you down? Washington insiders. Because he needs — he’s going to need a House and a Senate that supports his agenda,” Scott continued. “If we don’t get new leadership, we will get the same old things. More spending, more debt, higher interest rates.”
The Florida Republican announced last month that he is joining the race to replace McConnell in his Republican leadership role as the party hopes to take control of the upper chamber in November.
“This is not the time to make small adjustments, I believe we need drastic change to save our country and that is why I am running to be Republican leader,” Scott said in his announcement.
The Sunshine State senator tried to take the job away from McConnell in 2022, but lost 37 votes to 10.
Republican Senators John Thune (SD) and John Cornyn (Texas) are also vying for the role this time, and the race is heating up as the November elections approach.
“We’re changing the Senate. And I’m running again… There’s going to be a leadership race and we’re going to win,” Scott said Friday.
The Florida senator was among several notable GOP names scheduled to speak to the Michigan crowd on Friday, including former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R). .
Trump is set to Detroit conference headline with an appearance on Saturday, just weeks after the former president was convicted in his secret trial in Manhattan.
Michigan is a critical state as the presumptive GOP nominee heads toward a November rematch with President Biden.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
